Wednesday, December 26, 2012 pm

Wednesday, December 26, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:30 pm. Hunting closes 5:00 pm. Temperature: 11 degrees. Wind: N-NW 0-2 mph. Mostly sunny. I decided to head back to the Stump. I had left the Mr Buddy heater there find it sure makes for a more enjoyable sit. I was in position by 3:00 pm. The deer should really come in to feed tonight with it being so cold the past few days. It didn't take long. Two small fawns were the first to come into the good plot. They came in from the SW and fed to within 30 yards of the blind. After about 10 minutes, They ended up spooking back up the hill to the west. At 4:00 pm, a nice doe with two fawns came off the hill to the SW of me. One of the fawns got to 35 yard but the mom stayed out around 40 yards. At 4:05 pm, a doe came through the valley to the SE of me. She stayed out about 50 yards. At 4:20 pm, the deer started to pour out into the food plots. I had 13 does at one time feeding from 25-70 yards away. No shooters were close enough though. They all ended up leaving at 4:50 pm. After shooting light 4 different bucks came out into the field including the nice 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer. Nice night. Totals: Bob - 17 deer, 13 does and fawns and 4 bucks.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 pm

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:34 pm. Hunting closes: 5:04 pm. Temperature: 32 degrees. Wind: S 2-4 mph. Mostly cloudy. Tonight found me back at the Stump. I was all set up by 3:00 as most of the action doesn't start until close to dark. They all started to show up around 4:30. I had about 8 does, fawns and nubbins in the food plot, but none of the mature does got closer then 40 yards of the blind. Oh well. Totals: Bob - 8 deer. 8 does and fawns.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 pm

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 pm. Sunset 4:34 pm. Hunting closes 5:04 pm. Temperature: 29 degrees. Wind: S-SW 5-10 mph. Partly cloudy. Tonight I decided to give the Stump blind a try. I was all set by 3:00 pm. At 3:40 pm, a really nice 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer came in from the north to the east of me. He offered numerous 18-20 yard broad side shots, but I decided to pass. I am happy to see that he had made it through the gun season and he should be a dandy shooter next yet. I was able to get some great video of him. He stay around for over 20 minutes feeding in the beans before he left to the SE. At 4:40 pm. Several deer started to filter into both food plots. They started over in the border patrol food plot an eventually worked they way over to the Stump foo plot. By the time they made it over to me, it was past legal shooting light so I had to pass on them. There was at least 10 does and 3 small bucks (1 mutant 7 Pointer that I have on camera). Totals: Bob- 14 deer. 10 does and fawns and 4 bucks.

Thursday , December 6, 2012 pm

Thursday, December 6, 2012 pm. Sunset 4:32 pm. Hunting closes 5:02 pm. Temperature 44 degrees. Wind: W-SW 5-10 mph. It was a nice night for a sit. I was able to sneak down to the pop up blind down by boarder patrol. I was all set up by 3:00 pm. Nothing to report. Totals: Bob 0 deer.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 pm

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:32 pm. Hunting closes: 5:02 pm. Temperature 38 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind N-NW 10-15 mph. I checked the cameras today and there is much that survived the gun season. There is one tall 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer and one wider 2 1/2 year old 9 pointer. Both should be nice deer if they can make it through the winter. I put for a doe and decided to head down to the VAT. I was all set up a little before 3:00 pm. Nothing to report. Totals: Bob - 0 deer.

Monday, December 3, 2012 pm

Monday, December 3, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:32 pm. Hunting closes: 5:02 pm. Temperature 47 degrees. Partly cloudy. Wind: S-SW 15. It has been a few weeks, buying felt like the time was right to get out in MN again. I figured the deer will be coming into the beans since most of the neighboring fields have been picked and plowed over. I went to the pop up blind near where border patrol used to be. I was in position by 3:10 pm. Unfortunately,I kicked up a deer that was bedded on the hillside to the east of me. I hope that his/her stomach will get the best of them and they will return before dark. We have already processed 700 lbs of finished product last weekend and we are planning on doing another 300 lbs this coming weekend. I would really like to harvest a mature doe if possible. That was it. I did see another deer on the sledding hill as I was walking up. Totals: Bob- 0 deer.

Monday, November 19, 2012 pm

Monday, November 19, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:36 pm. Hunting closes: 4:56 pm. Partly cloudy. Temperature: 50 degrees. Wind: S-SE 10-15 mph. After loading all of the bucks into the back of Don's truck we took off for Romance. I dropped off Dan at the south end of te property do he could hunt the creek bottom. I went up top. I had forgotten my safety harness so, I just sat next to a tree about 75 yards east of the stand on the ground. I was all set up by 1:55 pm. At 2:10 pm , 4 does came over the hill from the north running to the SE. There was a decent 8 pointer chasing them. He stayed on the ridge and the foes went down towards the valley. Five minutes later the same 4 does came back up the hill with a small 7 pointer following them. They all were within 60 yards , but there were no shooters. The does went back to the NW and the buck went off up the NE. Totals: Bob- 6 deer. 4 does and 2 bucks.

Monday, November 19, 2012 am

Monday, November 19, 2012 am. Sunrise: 7:03 am. Hunting opens: 6:33 am. Temperature: 38 degrees. Overcast and rainy. Wind: S-SE 3-5 mph. I went to the Hog back but didn't stay very log because it started raining. Dan and Steve ended up picking me up at 8:30 am since we were all wet. Totals: 0 deer

Sunday, November 18, 2012 pm

Sunday, November 18, 2012 pm. Sunset: 4:37 pm. Hunting closes: 4:57 pm. Temperature: 53 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind: N 3-5 mph. My brother Steve shot a beautiful 10 pointer that scored 148" net this morning on the north side of 171 on the new property from a seat on the ground. It was s 42 yard shot and he dropped him in his tracks. Well done. I hunted back to the south of circle road on the ground but did not see anything. Totals: Bob- 0 deer.

Saturday, November 17, 2012 am

Saturday, November 17, 2012 am. Sunrise: 7:04 am. Hunting opens: 6:34 am. Temperature: 22 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind: S-SW. Don and I spent the night at Romance. The rest of the crew stayed at Copper. I put Don at Everest and u went to the Ridge top portable stand. From sunrise to 9:20 am, I saw 16 deer with or being a decent 8 pointer. He was below me in the brush and I really didn't have much of a shot anyways. At 9:20 am, I heard Don shoot his 300 ultra mag. I called him on the Walkie talkie and he said that he had shot a nice mature buck that was chasing a doe down below him to the SW on the run. He new that he had hit him, but Don is color blind so I knew that he was going yo need dome help. By the time I got over to him, he was at the place where he had shot him. We were able to easily follow a short blood trail to his buck. When we got there, I immediately knew that he had shot "Raji." A perfect sot through the heart. He only went about 100 yards. I left Don with his buck ad walked out to get his truck. When I got back, I helped him finish field dressing him and we dragged him 40 yards to his truck. Nicely done Don! It was his first mature whitetail buck. Back at Copper my buddy Mike Halder scored on a beast from the Hog Back. At 7:30 "Stickers" a beast of a 14 pointer was shot by him. He green scored typical 180" gross. What an awesome start to the 2012 gun season. I went to the Badger game so I didn't hunt in the afternoon. I did hear from Lon that he found my bow buck from Tuesday. Unfortunately, the coyotes had found it too. I had made a good shot on him (1 lung/liver) and he only had gone about 100 yards from where we has laat lost the blood. I did get some photos of him and took the horns for a European mount. Totals: Bob 16 deer, 1 buck. 2 mature bucks down by our group.

Wednesday, November 15, 2012

Wednesday, November 15, 2012. Today Jim and I went to look for my buck. We started at 7:00 am and sue joined in to help with the search around 9:0 am. We found one small spot of blood about 40 yards from where I had lost it last night. That was it. We looked everywhere and walked al the hillsides until 12:30 pm. I must have just got one lung and liver. It totally sucks! That was the first animal that I have shot and not recovered since 1995. I guess I will need to start a new streak. Gun season opens on Saturday. I will be looking to make amends for my mistake. Good luck to all this fall. Buckslayer out

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 pm

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 pm. Sunset 4:35 pm. Hunting closes: 5:05 pm. Temperature 34 degrees. Wind: S-SE 5-10 mph. Mostly sunny. I got back down to Wisconsin at 11:00 am. I just had a feeling that the farm at Copper Creek had the potential to pay off. I ended up at Dan's ladder stand off the north side of birch point. Lon was kind enough to drop me off up top and when I was getting dressed up top a nubbin came out of the field and watched us. I laid a scent line from the west and climbed up into the stand. It didn't take long. All of a sudden all hell broke lose. I had a doe being chased by three smaller bucks coming from the NE and going to the south about 100 yards to the east of me. Five minutes later a doe, with 3 shooter bucks came flying through in the same area. They crested the hill and ran around on the opposite side of the hill to the south of me. Two minutes later they all came back over the hill. They got to within 25 yards but it was complete chaos. I tried to find the biggest one, but they all took off in seconds after the doe back to the NE. I did get some video. Five minutes later a doe came from the west of me and a a small 8 pointer was following her. He came through the shooting lane to the north of me, but he was too small. Wow!! An absolute incredible experience. At 2:00 pm, I heard something behind me to the SW. It was a really nice 3 1/2 year old 9-10 pointer. He was south of me but I got some video of him but had to video all around the tree in order to get him. I ended up turning a complete 360. When I got to the other side, I determined that he was worth shooting if he presented a good shot. He was 30 yards to the west if me, but he was quartering away. I decided. That's I would let him go. He then turned and came to the NW of me and was heading towards my shooting lane at 15 yards. I quickly changed my mind and determined he was worth taking. I drew before he got to the shooting lane nd stopped him as he was walking through. I settled my pin and let him have it. It felt like I hit him great vertically, but was a bit further back than I wanted. I still heard ribs as the arrow went through him. I was sure of a lung/ liver. I sat until 2:30 pm, and then snuck down to see if I could find my arrow. I was able to find it right away and it looked really good. I got out of there to the south and walked down around circle road and up to the new house. I met mom and then called dad on the Walkie talkies. We determined that he should keep hunting till 4:00 pm, them get down to come help me. We got up top at 4:10 pm. We found blood right away and did not have much trouble following it across the hill to the NW. At about 200 yards he bedded down. He must have not been down very long as he got up and started bleeding again right away. He ended up on the logging road again and crossed it to the west. He went around the hill to the south. We were running out of light ad Lon went back up to get the ATV. He drove it down the hill to meet us and brought along the lantern. Thank God. I went back after him to the south. He bedded down again on the west facing slope. He got up again and continued to the south. I ended up losing blood after close to 500 yards. Frustrating. I will be back at it looking for him in the morning. Stay tuned. Buckslayer out. Totals: Bob- 11 deer, 8 bucks and 3 does. 4 shooter bucks.

Saturday, November 10, 2012 am

Saturday, November 10, 2012 am. Sunrise: 6:50 am. Hunting opens: 6:20 am. Temperature 49 degrees. Mostly cloudy. Wind: E-SE 10-15 mph. This morning, I decided to give Theron's stand a try. I was pleased that I was able to walk directly to the stand in the dark as I have yet to put out the reflective pins to help mark the trail. I did run a short scent line on the main trail to the north of me and I put out a couple of scent wicks. I was up in the stand and ready to go by 5:45 am. At 5:50 am, I had two deer run through the valley to the north if me going from west to east. Obviously, it was too dark to see what they were. At 6:20 am, I had a nice shooter buck come through the valley about 70 yards to the north of me going from west to east. I grunted to try and get him to come up the hill but he just kept going. At 6:45 am, I heard a buck grunting and chasing a doe up in the field to the north if me. He was chasing her from east to west. I was never able to see what he was. At 9:10 am, I heard two deep grunts to the SW of me up the hill. They seemed fairly close. I grunted back and even did a light rattling sequence, but he never came down off the hill. At 9:30 am, i heard two more grunts to the SW of me up the hill. I grunted back, but he just would not come down. That was it. Totals: Bob 1 deer, 1 buck.

Friday, November 9, 2012 pm

Friday, November 9, 2012 pm. Sunset 4:48 pm. Hunting closes 5:18 pm. Mostly cloudy. Temperature 49 degrees. Wind E-SE. I drove back down from Wisconsin this morning. I had to stop at Romance to drop off the dogs and pick up my gear. I got down to Copper Creek around 1:00 pm. Lon an Sue were working with Jim building some new roads with the bulldozer so I had to use the company car to get me up top. The roads are in pretty good shape with lots of water bars, but I was able to make it up top. I decided to hunt up on the goat prairie, and I could here Jim and Lon working to the south of me. I was all set up by 1:45 pm for the evening sit. At 3:20 pm, after an aggressive rattling and grunting sequence, a nice tall 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer started to work his way uphill from the west of me. He stayed on the lower trail, but just didn't want to come up to the goat prairie He ended up walking to the south and around the base of the hill. He wasn't a shooter buck anyways, but it was nice to see. I did get some quick video of him through the brush. At 4:05 pm, I saw a small buck heading down the hill towards the NW about 100 yards to the SE of me. I just got a quick glimpse of him through my binoculars. That was it. Totals: Bob - 2 deer, 2 bucks. No shooters

Thursday, November 8, 2012 am

Thursday, November 8, 2012 am. Sunrise 6:50 am. Hunting opens: 6:20 am. Temperature 30 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind: W-SW 5-10 mph. This morning found me again up on top at the Ridgetop stand. I was at the base of the tree nearly an hour before the hunting opener. That was good since I wanted to run some scent lines and I needed to cool off. At 7:55 am, a big doe came up the hill from the south. She passed through both shooting lanes to the south and south east. She ended up on top of the ridge and walked off to the east. At 8:40 am, I saw a big doe about 40 yards down hill of me moving from east to west. I tried calling to her, but she just kept going. At 7:45 am, a doe came over the hill from the NW. She walked through all the shooting lanes to the SW, S, and SE at about 15 yards. I was hoping a buck would be following her, but no such luck. I saw some movement uphill to the NW and it was a grouse sitting I. A brush pile. Pretty cool to see as there are not a lot of them around here. At 9:25 am , I had a small buck home up the hill towards me from the SW. He got to 20 yards and turned and walked to the east. I did get some good video. At 9:30 am, a saw another buck come up from the south heading north about 60 yard to the east of me. It may have been the same buck that I had seen a few minutes earlier. I stayed until 11:15 and then I got down n headed in. Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 3 does and 2 bucks.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Wednesday, November 7, 2012. Sunset: 4:48 pm. Hunting closes: 5:18 pm. Temperature: 42 degrees. Partly cloudy. Wind: N-NW 3-5 mph. I drove down this morning from Minnesota and arrived at Romance around 11:00 am. I checked the weather, made a sandwich and grabbed a quick shower. I was all set up in the creek bottom Box elder stand by 11:45 am. I dragged in a scent line and set up "Hairy" about 10 yards to the NW of me in the trail. I am excited to be back out as today celebrates my 20th year of bow hunting. I shot my first buck with a bow 20 years ago today in Marquette county in central Wisconsin. I have been addicted ever since them. It was a nice day, and I hopped to catch a big boy cruising the willows in the creek bottom looking for a receptive doe. We will just have to wait and see. I was a little upset as my parents neighbor to the west was doing some chainsaw work to the west of me about 200 yards on the other side of the creek. He was only there for about 30 minutes before he shut it down which was nice. Then he came back and I watched him put up a pop up blind right underneath the tree that he had been cutting on. It is too bad since this now takes away the skit to the west with a rifle. At 12:25 pm, I heard some noise to the SE of me. It was a deer that was trotting through the swamp grass, but it was too thick to see what it was. Unfortunately, it never came out and showed itself. At 3:05 pm, I had a doe come down the trail from the south. She got to within 20 yards of Hairy and stopped. She stood there for a minute staring at him. She finally stomped her foot and turned around and went back towards the south. She went 50 yards and turned in towards the west on one of the trails through the willows. That was the last that I saw of her. At 3:40 pm, I looked behind me to the NE and saw a doe coming along the edge of the ford towards me. She was being followed by 3 more does. They got to within 35 yards when they finally spotted Hairy. They did not like what they saw and they all took off back to the E-NE. Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 5 does.

Saturday, November 3, 2012 am

Saturday, November 3, 2012 am. Sunrise: 7:44 am. Hunting opens: 7:14 am. Partly cloudy. Temperature 38 degrees. Wind: E-SE. Today found me back on top at the Ridge top portable stand. I was in early this morning and was at the base of the tree 50 minutes before shooting light. I laid a scent trail from the east on top of the hill back towards my stand. Taylor went to Sherpa and Lon was in the portable on the hillside below me. At 8:20 am, I heard a doe mewing below me to the SW. I mewed back and grunted as well but nothing came up the hill towards me. At 8:35 am, I heard something behind me to the NW. I looks over my shoulder and there was a nice 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer standing in the brush 35 yards away. He is a different 8 pointer than I saw yesterday. He ended up heading down the hill to the NE.  I had to get to Mankato for the MSU vs. UM hockey game with Heidi and her parents, so I had to get down at 9:45 am.  Totals:  Bob - 1 deer, 1 buck.

Friday, November 2, 2012 all day

Friday, November 2, 2012 all day. Sunrise: 7:43 am. Hunting opens: 7:13 am. Temperature: 23 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind: N-NW. This morning found me again back up in the Ridge Top portable stand. On my way in, I had deer running all around me. I was able to get in early again and was all set up 30 minutes prior to the opener. That was good because it didn't take long. At 7:15 am, I heard something behind me to the NW. Then came a doe with another for behind her. Then came a decent 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer. With all the eyes and ears around, I was not able to capture any video. Then, a small 1 1/2 year old 4 to 6 pointer stepped out. Both bucks ended up following the first doe that had come in, and didn't bother to pay attention to the other doe. The doe and bucks ended up heading back over the hill towards the NW. The other doe ended up browsing down below me to the south. She ended up as close as 8 yards down wind of me but she never spooked. While this was going on, two more does came over the hill to the north of me. They both got to within 15 yards of me and also browsed and smelled my scent wick. Finally, at 8:30 am, the three does that were still left, departed over the hill to the north. At 9:15 am, I heard something to the NE of me. I then saw a doe on the ridge about 75 yards away. She bedded down for about a minute. Then I heard something behind her. It was a beautiful split brow buck. I think he is an 11 pointer. I looked at the video and it is "Raji."  I did get some decent video of him. The doe ran across the hill to the west to about 50 yards away and the she dropped over the hill to the north. The buck followed her. They ran around on the other side of the ridge just to the north of me, but never got close enough for a shot. At 9:25 am, a nubbin buck came over the hill to the NE of me. Instead of following the buck and doe, he came right down towards me. He got to within 6 yards of the base of my tree to the east. He ended up hanging around for a while and finally left to the SE. That was it until 5:00 pm. I looked up to the NE and a big doe had just come over the hill from the north. She walked into about 50 yards on my scent trail but the blew an spooked back to the east. At 5:15 pm, I had a 2 1/2 year old 8 pointer come in from the NW of me. He slowly worked his way down to the SW of me. I was able to get some pretty good video of him too. He ended up turning around and heading back to the north and over the hill onto the neighbors.  At 5:50 pm, I did hear another buck grunting to the SW of me, but he never came up the hill towards me.  Totals: Bob - 11 deer. 7 Does and fawns and 4 bucks.  (1 shooter "Raji")

Thursday, November 1, 2012, All day

Thursday, November 1, 2012 All day. Sunrise: 7:42 am. Hunting opens: 7:12 am. It was a long steep climb to the new Ridge Top portable stand. I love the location and if it pays off, I plan on building a permanent stand there next summer. I was at the base of the stand by 6:25 am. Before i climbed in, I put down a short scent line and some scent wicks to the NE and NW of me. It took a while to get dressed an cooled down, but I was up in the stand and ready by 6:45 am. As I was getting ready I heard footsteps to the north of me. I saw a silhouette of I think a coyote. At 8:30 am, I could hear a buck grunting to the south of me moving from west to east. He was probably 75 yards down the hill, but I couldn't see him. I tried to grunt back to see if he would come up the hill but to no avail. At 12:05 pm, I looked to the NE and there was a big doe that had just come over the top of the hill about 50 yards away. She heard a buck grunt to the east and she took off after it on a slow trot. At 12:10 pm, I heard another grunt down to the SW of me. I grunted back but nothing. At 3:45 , I heard something to the SW of me. It was a big doe. Behind her was Captain Hook. She stopped in the brush 30 yards away. He got behind her and smelled if she was ready. He then proceeded to mount her. I got some great video. They ended up going back to the west. Damn. Another close encounter. At 4:05 pm, I heard something to the north of me. It was another big doe at 15 yards. I saw some movement and there was another smaller buck to the NW of me and straight west of her. She went back down the hill to the north and he followed her. At 6:00 pm, I had a doe sneak through to the SE of me. She was heading to the east.  At 6:10 pm, I had a nice 2 1/2 year old 7 pointer come in.  He was 7-10 yards away and had no idea that I was there.  He ended up circling the stand and I got a lot of great video.  Totals: Bob - 3 bucks and 4 does.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 pm

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 pm. Sunset: 5:54 pm.  Hunting closes: 6:24 pm. Temperature 48 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind NW10-15 mph.   I go down to Romance at about 12:30 pm.  I wanted to get a new stand up at the top of the hill at Romance above the goat prairie.  I had already marked a tree, so I just need to climb up there with a portable lock on stand.  It took a while and a lot of sweat, but I was able to get there in about 15 minutes.  On my way up, I kicked up two does.  As I was putting in the steps a , big coyote crested the hill to the north of me.  It took a minute before he saw me, but he took back off to the north.  After getting the shooting lanes trimmed out, I decided to give the area a rest and head back down.  If the wind is right, I will plan on sitting there all day.  I was back down at the house by 3:15 pm.  I grabbed a quick shower and was off to the box elder stand in the creek bottom.  On my way in a dragged a scent line from the south.  When I got to the stand, I dropped my gear and continued up to the field edge to the north with the drag.  On my way up, I kicked up a small 2 1/2 year old buck and they ran off across the field to the north.  I was able to climb into the stand and get settled in by 3:55 pm.  At 4:10 pm, I head something grunting to the east of me.  A 2 1/2 year old 7-8 pointer came through to the north of me.  He stopped in the brush to the north east of me (about 15 yards away), but never came out so I could get some video.   It was pretty quiet until 5:50 pm.  I could hear something to east east of me.  I thought that it was deer, but it sounded like they were splashing in water.  At about 6:15 pm, I heard a grunt and new immediately that is was some deer.   At 6:15 pm, I could hear them coming.  I had already stood up and was ready facing to the SW.   On cue, a mature doe came out from east about 15 yards to the south of me and ironically passed down wind of me undetected.  She passed though my shooting lanes; at 10-12 yards, fairly quickly as she had a nice 8 pointer (Cap't Hook) following her.  He stopped briefly in my shooting lane,, but I elected to pass as I could hear a much larger and louder deer coming.  When he stepped out, I knew that it was him.  It was "Raji."  He did not even pause.  Somehow he had lost sight of the doe and the other buck.  He ended up picking up the trail of my scent line that I had dragged in a he took off to the south.  I was furious.  I stood there waiting a light began to fade.  Just then, I heard him grunt and he was heading back my way to the north  I saw him coming and turned on the camera.  The first shooting lane that he came through on a steady walk, he was quartering towards me.  I had already made up my mind that I was going to draw when he walked behind the branch on the tree that I was hiding behind.  As I was coming to full draw, he spooked off to the west.  He was 10 yards away when he took off.  I am not 100% sure what happened.  Three things could have happened.  One, he could have seen me.  (not sure as he kind of just trotted off the the west and then stopped about 40-50 yards away.  Second, he could have seen the other buck and doe out in the field and he wanted to join them.  Or third, he caught a whiff of my scent wick and he took off past it.  Frustrating.  He was the largest deer that I have ever come to full draw on.  Hopefully, I will get a chance to redeem myself tomorrow.  Stay tuned.  The good news, is I have cell coverage up on the ridge, so I should be able to post my day fairly quickly after the hunt tomorrow.  So check back again tomorrow night.  Buck slayer Out.  Totals: Bob - 4 deer. 3 bucks and 1 doe. Two shooter bucks.

Monday, October 29, 2012 am, Sunrise: 7:36 am, Hunting opens: 7:06 am. Temperature 22 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind S-SW 0-5 mph.  Again I was out early this morning, arriving at Everest by 6:25 am.  I love getting there early in order to cool down.  It is crazy that you can be wearing a short sleeve shirt on a morning when it is 22 degree and work up a full blown sweating walking into the stand.  Those hills/bluffs are a killer.  At 7:25 am, I had a doe and two fawns come down off the hill from the north and walked 30 yards to the west of me.  Behind them, was a small 7 point buck.  He started chasing them and they wanted nothing to do with him so they took off to the west.  At 9:05 am, I saw a nice shooter buck walking across about 50 yards off the top of the ridge going from east to west.  I  know this much, that I need to get a portable stand higher up on the ridge.  I tried calling and raking the tree so sound like a buck making a rub, but he just kept on moving.  At 11:00 am, I looked down the hill and saw 2 does and 2 fawns down near Octopussy.  I am not sure what scared them (they were upwind of me), but one of the does started blowing and stomping.  They ended up heading back to the east.  I decided to get down at 11:30 pm, and get ready to head back to Minnesota from my hockey game at night.  I will plan on staying in Minnesota until Wednesday and then head back down to Wisconsin.  Totals:  Bob - 7 deer, 5 does and fawns and 2 bucks.

Sunday, October 28, 2012 pm. Sunset: 6:01 pm.  Hunting closes: 6:31 pm. Temperature 43 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind S-SW10-15 mph. I came in and watched the Packer game and went back out right afterwards.  This time I decided to give the north side a rest and went to the Recliner stand.  I was all set up with "Hairy" by 3:45 pm.  On my way into the stand, I did kick up a doe who was right next to the stand.  She ran up the hill to the SE.  At 5:30 pm,  I heard  the unmistakable sound of deer running.  I stood up and got ready.  Then I saw 4 does running down off the hill from south to north about 125 yards to the east of me on the other side of the ditch.  I was expecting to see a buck chasing them, but there was nothing.  At 5:45 pm, I heard a buck grunting to the south east of me.  I tried calling but nothing.  At 6:00 pm, I heard some grunting in the valley to the north of me.  Again, I tried calling, but it did not solicit a response.  At 6:15 pm, I had a doe and a nice shooter buck come off the hill from the south to the north again about 125 yards away on the pother side of the ditch.  He was running at full speed and did not respond to any calling either.  It was too bad, because none of the deer that I saw this evening ever saw "Hairy."  Totals: Bob - 6 deer, 5 does and 1 buck.

Sunday, October 28, 2012 am, Sunrise: 7:35 am, Hunting opens: 7:05 am. Temperature 23 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind North 5-10 mph.  This morning found me back up at the Sherpa stand.  I was in early this morning and was at the base of the tree by 6:25 am.  It was nice to be able to take off my sweaty shirt, towel off and cool down.  At 8:05 am, I looked back up the hill and saw a nice buck walking the ridge about 150 yards to the north of me heading from east to west.  I tried to grunt and rattle him down, but he wanted nothing to do with me.  At 10:30 am, I looked down the hill and saw 2 does walking along the field edge going from east to west.  I saw them stop and smell my scent trail, but they just continued on to the west and never came up the hill towards me.  At 10:45 am, I had a small 3 point buck come off the hill to the NW of me and head down to the S-SW about 80 yards to the west of me.  That was it.  Totals: Bob - 4 deer, 2 bucks and 2 does.

Saturday, October 27, 2012 pm

Saturday, October 27, 2012 pm. Sunset: 6:02. Hunting closes: 6:32. Temperature 43 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind S-SW10-15 mph. I came in to watch the Badger game and watched the first half.  I was back out in the stand by 4:00 pm.  This evening I took "Hairy" and went out to the boxelder tree in the creek bottom.  As I was dragging out a scent line tot he north field edge there were already 2 does making their way tot he field edge.  At 5:00 pm, I had a doe and 2 fawns come in from behind me to the east.  They ended up getting downwind of me and they kind of spooked back to the NE in the brush.  At 5:45 pm, I had a small doe come in from the east and she ended up to the south of me.  She was in the brush and when she saw "Hairy" she froze and began stomping her foot.  She ended up spooking as well back to the east.  At 6:15 pm, I had open doe on the trail to the north of me.  She was 60 yards away and saw "Hairy."  She ended up heading back into the field.  Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 5 does.

Saturday, October 27th, 2012 AM

Saturday, October 27, 2012 am, Sunrise: 7:34 am, Hunting opens: 7:04 am. Temperature 26 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind S-SW 5-10 mph.  I decided to try my luck at the Sherpa.  I was all set up by 6: 30 am.  It was a beautiful morning with very little wind to start.  At 8:10 am, I heard something coming across the hill from the east.  I grabbed my bow and picked up my binoculars.  It was a beautiful shooter buck about 40 yards across the hill from me.  I was hoping he would continue on the lower trail and would give me a perfect 20 yard broadside shot.  He kind of sensed something was wrong.  He finally wagged his tail, but turned and went up the hill.  He did stop at 34 yards and was broadside but in some brush.  I was hoping that he was going to step out.  Unfortunately, he had gotten downwind of me and smelled me.  That was it.  He blew and snorted as he worked his way up the hill to the NE.  I did get some video of him, but since he was locked in on me, it was tough to zoom all the way in on him.  I ended up sitting until 12:00 pm and then moved over to to Badger Hole.  I sat there until 1:30 pm and I got down to head in.  If the wind is right, I am going to give the creek bottom another try this afternoon.  I am planning on bringing "Hairy" the buck decoy with me.  Totals: Bob - 1 deer.  1 nice shooter buck.

Friday, October 26, 2012 pm

Friday, October 26, 2012 pm. Sunset: 6:03. Hunting closes: 6:34. Temperature 43 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind N-NE 10-15 mph. After a nice morning sit at Romance, I decided to give Copper Creek a shot. I had to replace some gold tip screws on the north fort stand before I could get out and hunt tonight. I was still able to get settled in the new ladder stand out on birch point where Dan shot his nice 10 pointer during gun last year. I trimmed a few branches and was all set to go by 3:00 pm.  That was it.  I did hear one while I was walking to the Ranger.  When I got back to Romance I checked the camera.  Evidently, the neighbor had shot a nice buck on Wednesday.  They had been tacking it across birch point and down cherry valley.  We had several picture of the guys looking for the deer on the trail camera.  Lon called them after I got home and they told him that they finally found the buck on Friday morning.  Unfortunately, so did the coyotes.  There was really nothing left of the buck but the horns.  The worst part about it, is he shot "Farley" or his "Majesty."  He was the buck with four brow tines on his left and 12 on his right.  He was a 14 pointer.  What a bummer.  I guess this explains why I didn't see anything last night.  Now, I will have to focus on Romance for a few days.  Buck slayer Out!  Totals: Bob - 0 deer

Friday, October 26, 2012 am

Friday, October 26, 2012 am, Sunrise: 7:35 am, Hunting opens: 7:05 am. Temperature 32 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind N-NW 5-10 mph.  I decided to try my luck at Everest.  I was all set up by 6:40 am. At 9:00 am, I could hear a deer running down in the valley to the south of me, but it never came up the hill so I am not sure what it was.  At 10:20 am, I saw a big deer moving across the hill about 100 yards to the north of me moving from west to east.  Again, I could not see what it was, but I think that it was a buck.  I ended up sitting until 11:00 am, as I wanrt to get down to Copper and do some hunting there Totals: 1 deer, 1 ?.

Thursday, October 25, 2012 pm

Thursday, October 25, 2012 pm, Sunset: 6:05 pm, Hunting closes: 6:35 pm. Temperature 42 degrees. Mostly cloudy, some light rain. Wind N-NW.   Today I drove down to Romance, WI to hunt.  I got there at about 1:30 pm.  John Score met me around 1:45.  We waited for the big part of the storm to pass through and then we cleaned up and headed to the stands.  John went to Everest and I went to the new box elder creek bottom stand.  We were both all set up by 2:45 pm.  At 6:00 PM, I had a deer (I think it was a nubbin buck) that was all fired up and kept running all around my stand.  I think his hormones were all out of whack.  At 6:30 pm, I looked to the NW and I could barely see 3 deer (I think all does) sneaking along the far edge of the box elder woods about 75 yards away.  The were heading toward the SW.  That was it for me.  John Score ended up seeing a doe with two fawns, a nubbin buck, and s small busted up 6 pointer.  All were well within bow range.  Totals: Bob - 4 deer, 4 does.  John - 5 deer, 4 does and fawns and 1 buck.

Monday, October 22, 2012 am

Monday, October 22, 2012 am, Sunrise: 7:37 am, Hunting opens: 7:07 am. Temperature 48 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind N-NE 5-10 mph. With a good wind, and a stand that has been rested for a while, I decided to give the VAT a try. I grabbed Stubby and headed for the valley. I was in the stand and all set up by 6:35 am.  Stayed until 9:25 am.  Nothing to report.  Totals:  Bob - 0 deer.

Sunday, October 21, 2012 pm

Sunday, October 21, 2012 pm, Sunset: 6:20 pm, Hunting closes: 6:50 pm. Temperature 70 degrees. Mostly sunny. Wind S-SW. This afternoon I took Stubby the buck decoy and went up to right field. I was all set up by 4:30 pm. At 6:20 pm, i saw a single doe in the field 150 yards to the SW of me. She was heading over towards the VAT food plot. That was it. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 doe.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 am

Wednesday, October 17, 2012. Sunrise: 7:31 am, Opener: 7:01 am, Temp: 52 degrees, Mostly cloudy, some rain, Wind: S-SE 10-15 mph. Even though there was a sprinkle this morning, I decided to go hunting anyways.  I wanted to give the ladder stand a try.  I was in position by 6:35 am.  On my way in a kicked up a couple of deer, but it was way to dark to tell what they were.  I sat through a couple of small rain storms, but did not see a deer.  I decided it was time to get down at 8:40 am.  Totals: Bob - 0 deer. 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 pm

Tuesday, , October 11, 2012. Sunset: 6:27 pm, closing: 6:57 pm, Temp: 62 degrees, Partly cloudy, Wind: S-SE 5-10 mph.   I decided to give Spaghetti Junction a try.  I was in position, by 4:30 pm.  At 6:35 pm, I saw a doe sneaking from west to east about 75 yards to the south of me.  It was heading towards the boarder patrol food plot.  At 6:40 pm. I heard something to the NW of me.  It was a doe that had jumped Arile's fence.  It browsed on grass on the turn around about 80 yards away from me.  At 6:45 pm, I had another doe come from the west and head to the east.  She was about 40 yards away and heading towards the same food plot as the first doe that I saw.  That was it.  Totals: Bob - 3 deer, 3 does.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 am

Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Sunrise: 7:30 am, Opener: 7:00 am, Temp: 52 degrees, Mostly cloudy, some rain, Wind: S-SE 20-25 mph.  This morning, I decided to give Right Field another try.  I was all set up by 6:40 am.  The temperature was fairly warm, but the winds were howling.  We even got some rain showers.  At 7:35 am, the turkeys started calling and flying down.  Several were roosted on "Devils Ridge," and I could see them in the tree.  Three hens flew down onto the plateau about 40 yards to the north of me.  At  7:45 am, a single tom crossed on top of the hill to the north of me moving from west to east.  He crossed through the brush about 40 yards away.  At 8:15 am, the rain started coming down pretty hard.  I decided to get down shortly thereafter.  Totals: Bob - 0 deer. 

Monday, October 15, 2012 pm

Monday, October 15, 2012. Sunset: 6:28 pm, closing: 6:58 pm, Temp: 53 degrees, Partly cloudy, Wind: S-SE 10-15 mph.  I was having problems with my Direct TV, so I had to have a technician out.  He didn't end up leaving until 5:25 pm.  After a quick shower, I decided to give the ladder stand a try, since it was going to be such a short sit.  Nothing to report.  I did check the camera and got another picture of "Dr. Evil."  This is a different angle than I have gotten in the past.  (see attached) What a beast!  Unfortunatley all of the photos I have of him are at night.  Hopefully he will make a mistake in the coming weeks during daylight hours.  Totals:  Bob - 0 deer. 

Sunday, October 14, 2012 pm

Sunday, October 14, 2012 pm, Sunset: 6:29 pm, Closing 6:59 pm, Temp 53 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: N- NW 10-15 mph. Tonight I decided to head up to Right Field.  I was all set up by 4:35 pm.  At 5:50 pm, I had a nice little 6 pointer enter the field from the SW of me.  He started off being about 100 yards away.  At 6:00 pm, a small doe joined him in the field from the same place.  They stayed out and ate for the entire evening until dark.  He walked within 8-10 yards of the stand and had no idea that I was there.  At 6:15 pm, two does came up into the field from the SW.  They stayed out in the field till dark as well.  The buck did chase all three of the does around for a bit, but they wanted nothing to do with him.  It was fun to see.  I did get some good video with my new HD camera that I will try and post.  Totals; Bob 4 deer, 3 does and 1 buck.

Friday, October 12, 2012 pm

Friday, October 12, 2012 pm, Sunset: 6:31 pm, Closing 7:01 pm, Temp 51 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: S-SE 10-15 mph.  I decided to try my luck in the new pop up blind.  I was in position by 4:30 pm.  Heidi went to the VAT, but she didn't head in until 5:00 pm.  She said that she kicked up a deer on her way in, but she could not tell what it was.  At 6:50 pm, Heidi looked over her right shoulder and a nice shooter buck was coming into the food plot from the east.  He was close too.  About 8-10 yards from the blind.  She waited for him to pass out in front of her.  When he was quartering away, she thought that she made a good 10-12 yards shot.  The buck took off up the hill to the NW. She could see the arrow and luminock still in him as he ran up the hill. She called me and I came over to help her.  We snuck back out and went up the hill towards the house from the east going west.  Taylor, Theron, Little, Luke, Heidi and I waited up in the house.  After an hour and a half, we went out to start looking.  There was no blood or hair at impact.  We finally started up the hill to look for Heidi's arrow.  About 100 yards up the hill, Heidi found her arrow.  It had good blood, but she only got about 5-6 inches of penetration.  (I think a single lung hit)  We had good blood up the hill and then he ran along the driveway to the west for about 200 yards.  We finally lost blood down towards the end of the driveway.  Of course, it started to rain as well.  The next morning, I did grid patterns in the corn.  I also came back and did some more grids on Sunday.  Nothing.  I sure hope that buck makes it.  I will be checking the cameras to see if we can see any photos up a buck with a scar on his right side.  Stay tuned.  Totals:  Bob - 0 deer, Heidi - 1 deer, 1 buck. 

2 other potential targets

Not sure what these guys are, but look to be shooters. 

"Lucky 7" and "Big 9"

Two other nice bucks have shown up at the 009.  They must be starting to move with the cold weather we have been having.  We will call this guy Lucky 7 since he has 7 on his left side.  The other deer appears to be a great 9 pointer.

Thursday, October 11, 2012 pm

Thursday, October 11, 2012. Sunset: 6:34 pm, closing: 7:04 pm, Temp: 48 degrees, Partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 10-15 mph. Tonight, I decided to give the VAT another try. I am pretty excited as I just purchased a new Sony high-definition video camera from Costco. It is even smaller and lighter than my old camera. On my way in I kicked up a doe that ran up toward the dump stand. I was all set up and in position by 4:55 pm. It was a bit later than I had hoped for. It sounds like they may have started to cut the corn up by right field. At 5:35 pm, the nubbin came into the food plot from the west.  He gorged himself on the beats, rape, and oats.  He ended up coming right towards me and circled around the stand to the south. He then crossed the creek and headed back to the SW. I watched him work the hillside for an hour to the south of me. At 6:40 pm, he decided to come back into the food plot where I had first saw him. He ended up working his way into the beans in front of me to the NW.  He sure is a hungry bastard. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 nubbin

"Dr. Evil" in Minnesota

Fans,

Here is a new target that has moved into the area.  It is tough to tell, but with all the junk on the brow tines, he is probably a 14 pointer.  He is a big body deer that is for sure.  Maybe a descendant of "Turkey Foot."  Finally we have something on camera that is worth shooting.  Thoughts?  Buckslayer

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 pm

Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Sunset: 6:36 pm, closing: 7:07 pm, Temp: 49 degrees, Mostly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 20-25 mph. We are trying something different. Since the old willow that the boarder patrol stand was in fell over, we decided to put up a pop up blind by that food plot. Heidi and I are hunting together tonight. I put down the Heli-m and brought my camera and tri-pod. I am hoping to capture Heidi's first harvest on camera. We had it up and brushed in by 4:55 pm. Nothing. Oh well still an enjoyable sit. Totals: Bob and Heidi - 0 deer.

Copper Creek - "His Majesty or Chris Farley"

I don't know what to say, but this buck is ridiculous.  He is an absolute beast.  I am guess 180+ net.  4 brow tines on one side and 2 on the other.  He has to be close to 300 lbs on the hoof.  You can see how he got his name. 

Copper Creek - "Perfect 10"

Copper Creek "Toys R Us"

"I just want to grow up, I"m a toys are us kid."  A great buck with some potential.  He needs another year or two.  I love the matching split brows!

Romance - "Mr. Thick"

Romance - "The Fridge"

Romance - "Raji"

Romance Buck- "Skyscraper"

Sunday, October 7, 2012 am

Sunday, October 7, 2012. Sunrise: 7:13 am, Opener: 6:43 am, Temp: 35 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: N-NW 3-5 mph. This morning found me again at Everest. I was all set up and ready to go by 6:25 am. Today is going to be a shorter hunt as I need to get back to Minnesota and I would like to get back in time to watch the Packer game. At 8:20 am, I heard deer running downhill of me to the SE. They began working their way up the hill towards me. It was 3 does. They ended up circling around the east and then north of me. They ended up crossing about 35 yards to the north of me. After that they slowly picked their way up hill to the north. That was it for me this morning. Totals: 3 deer, 3 does.

Saturday, October 6, 2012 am

Saturday, October 6, 2012. Sunrise: 7:11 am, Opener: 6:41 am, Temp: 41 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: N-NW 5-10 mph. This morning I decided that I was going to give Everest a try. After a long sweaty climb, I changed undershirts and was all set up by 6:30 am. It is the opening of the Wisconsin youth season, so I had to wear some blaze orange. At 7:00 am, I heard something downhill to the SW of me. I turned a saw a deer trotting up towards the NW. It was 80+ yards away through the brush, so I am not sure what it was. I guess I should have hunted Octopussy as I would at least have been able to see what it was. At 7:40 am, I had a big doe come up the hill from the south of me. She came right through my shooting lane to about 10 yards. I thought about taking her since she was alone and didn't have any fawns, but I decided to pass her up. She ended up getting up to the SE (down wind) of me and she started to get nervous. She never spooked, but she ended up heading back down the hill to the SE. That was it. Totals: Bob - 2 deer, 1 doe and 1 ? 

Growth in 1 year- "Captain Hook"

Here is a Romance target for 2012.  He is only an 8 pointer, but a total beast.  We call him Captain Hook.  I love his brow tines.  I am guessing his G2's and G3's are 12-14."  Probably a 3 1/2 to a 4 1/2 year old.  Take a look how much he has grown from 2011 to 2012.  I am guessing he has grown 25-30 ."  The first 2 photos are from 2011.  The last 3 are from this year.  See attached. LET THEM GO AND SEE THEM GROW!!   Enjoy. 

Friday, October, 5, 2012 pm

Friday, October 5, 2012. Sunset: 6:40 pm, Closes: 7:10 pm, Temp: 51 degrees, partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 15-20 mph. It is good to be back in Wisconsin. I checked two of the cameras at Romance today (I didn't have the key to unlock the camera at Octopussy) and the batteries were dead. Both had not been working for the last 10 days to 2 weeks. Too bad. Nevertheless, we did get some nice pictures of "Captain Hook." He is a great 8 pointer with super curved brow tines. He has put on a good 20-25" this year and his G3's have to be 13+." He is a great buck that I would love to take. Tonight I decided to give the Sherpa stand a shot. No one has hunted either place all year, so needless to say I was excited to get out. I was in and all set up by 5:00 pm. I did have about 6 hens fly up and roost about 70 yards to the east of me. As far as deer sightings... Nothing. Totals: Bob - 0 deer

Thursday, October 4, 2012 pm

Thursday, October 4, 2012. Sunset: 6:46 pm, Closes: 7:16 pm, Temp: 52 degrees, mostly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 25-30 mph. Tonight was a nice cold evening. It was a bit windier than I would normally like, but the colder air is a refreshing change. I hoped it would get the bucks up and on their feet. Since it was so windy, I thought that I should give the VAT a try. I was all set up by 5:00 pm.  At 5:35 pm, I did some rattling and immediately my little nubbin buddy came running in off the hill from the north. He fed over on the far west of the field and walked up to the west. At 6:30 pm, the wind swirled and 2 deer winded me from the sugar shack food plot. They took off to the east. One was a big deer.  At 6:45 pm, a doe with two nubbin fawns came into the food plot from the west. She was not the one with the broken leg or I would have taken her for sure. She did present a perfect broad side shot at 10 yards but I elected to pass her up. I have hockey tonight and I am heading to Wisconsin tomorrow.   It was going to be more problematic than it was worth. Right at 7:20 pm, when I was ready to get down a doe a fawn entered the field from the west. They both stayed on the far west edge of the food plot. When I was getting down, I spooked all 5 deer from the food plot. Too bad, but I had to get going. Totals: Bob - 8 deer. 6 does and fawns and 2 ?'s.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 am

Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Sunrise: 7:13 am, Opener: 6:43 am, Temp: 43 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: S-SW 5-10 mph. After a good nights sleep, I was up and out the door early. With a south wind, I knew that I wanted to give right field a try. I was all set up and in position by 6:15 am. It is hard to believe, but they had already started working at the quarry by 5:45 am. I can hardly wait until they get done over there. At 6:50 am, I saw a deer down in the corner to the east of me. I was only able to catch a quick glimpse, so I am not sure what it was. At 7:15 am, I heard something coming from behind me. It was two fawns and a mom. The mom has a broken front left leg and was limping. I would assume that she was hit by a car. The fawns ended up out front and up wind of me. I was hoping that she was going to step out in front of me so I could take her out. Unfortunately, she stayed behind me to the north and north east. I just couldn't get turned around with my safety harness to get a shot. When she finally started to move around to the north west, I slowly started to pivot. When I did, the stand let out a soft creak. That was it. She sensed something wasn't right and she trotted off to the north and then down to the north west. The two fawns followed her. Damn. So close. At 7:55 am, I the same nubbin buck come up the hill from the west on the trail I walked in on. He bedded down about 15 yards away to the west of me. He laid there for over an hour. I finally got tired and had to go in to get some work done. He finally got up and left when I was getting packed up to leave. He never saw me and left to the SW.  What a great action packed morning. Totals: Bob - 5 deer, 4 does and fawns and 1?

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 pm

Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Sunset: 6:52 pm, Closes: 7:22 pm, Temp: 66 degrees, mostly sunny, Wind: S-SE 3-5 mph. It was a beautiful night. A bit warm, but very comfortable with a little cool breeze. A lot of the leaves are starting to drop so it is getting easier to see. I was all set up and ready to go at the Apple Tree by 4:45 pm. I was happy to hear the combine cutting corn to the SE of me. As far a deer sightings...Nothing. Totals: Bob - 0 deer.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 pm

Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Sunset: 7:06 pm, Closes: 7:36 pm, Temp: 66 degrees, mostly sunny, Wind: N-NW 3-5 mph.  I was down in the stump food plot today preparing the area that had not gotten planted this Spring because of the floods. I was able to get it all turned over, so it should be good next Spring. Because I was down there with the tractor, I decided to give the VAT a try.  I was in position by 5:00 pm. I had not been sitting for more than 5 minutes, when the same nubbin we have been seeing came running towards me from the SW. He must have been bedded down by the tree that the old VAT was in. I am guessing he watched me climb into the stand and get set up, then it was time for him to take off. He ran to 20 yards to the south of me and just stood there. Then over the next 10 minutes he slowly crossed the creek and disappeared to the south. He was not really spooked at all. Pretty fun to see.  At 7:10 pm, I saw the small 3 point mutant buck. He came in from the west and stayed to the south of the old VAT tree. At 7:15 pm, the small nubbin buck came back. He entered the food plot to the west of me and stayed and ate clover, oats, turnips and brassica till dark. Brave little guy.  I will say he is one fat nubbin.  He will be really nice if he can make it to next year or the year after.  Good genetics and a great appetite.  Totals: Bob: 3 deer, 1 buck

Monday, September 24, 2012 pm

Monday, September 24, 2012. Sunset: 7:09 pm, Closes: 7:39 pm, Temp: 69 degrees, mostly sunny, Wind: W-NW 10-15 mph. I helped Luke cut up his deer for an hour and a half and then Joe Nobach showed up. I figured they could finish up the work and I could go hunting. I was getting in late and the Packers are playing on Monday Night Football so I decided to hunt close. The logical spot was the ladder. I was in position by 5:20 pm.  Nothing going on tonight. Totals: Bob - 0 deer.

Sunday, September 23, 2012 pm

Sunday, September 23, 2012. Sunset: 7:10 pm, Closes: 7:40 pm, Temp: 58 degrees, mostly sunny, Wind: N-NW 5-10 mph. Heidi's driving back from Mankato, so I am hunting solo tonight.  I have been changing things up this year and hunting a lot of different stands, so I decided to give the Apple tree a try. I was all settled in at the stand by 5:00 pm. At 6:00 pm, Luke texted me that he just shot a nice doe at 5 yards. She ran about 20 yards and fell over dead in sight. Congats man. He is going to be bringing her over after dark to the Rack Shack for processing.  At 7:20 pm, I was glassing the far food plot and I saw the small 6 pointer heading across it to the NE. I tried rattling, but he just kept on going. Totals: Bob - 1 deer, 1 buck.

Sunday, September 23, 2012 am

Sunday, September 23, 2012. Sunrise: 7:01 am, Opener: 6:31 am, Temp: 31 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: N-NW 0-2 mph. I overslept this morning, but was still able to climb in the point stand by 6:15 am. Nothing to report. Totals: Bob - 0 deer. 

Saturday, September 22, 2012 pm

Saturday, September 22, 2012. Sunset: 7:11 pm, Closes: 7:41 pm, Temp: 58 degrees, partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 10-15 mph. Heidi is out tonight and she decided to try her luck at the Apple Tree. I went to Fish bowl. We were all set up by 5:15 pm. At 7:25 pm, I had 2 does come off the hill from the NW. Unfortunately, they stayed on the other side of Arlie's fence and never presented a clear shot. That was it. Totals: Bob - 2 deer, 2 does. Heidi- 0 deer

New - Decent 10 pointer at 009

Here are some pictures of a new 10 pointer that has moved into the area.  He has a split on his right G2.  He really needs another year, but he is going to be tough to pass up if he walked by during shooting hours.  What do you think?  Is he a shooter?

Friday, Spetember 21, 2012 pm

Friday, September 211, 2012. Sunset: 7:13 pm, Closes: 7:43 pm, Temp: 58 degrees, partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 10-15 mph.  Jerry was over today with his skid loader putting in a used culvert at the north end of the "stump" food plot. I am pleased that he was able to find one and put it in for me this fall. The new drainage ditch should hopefully help prevent the erosion like we had this spring. He was also able to get some of the old grass and weeds scraped off, so it should make the spring planting easier. With the same wind that we have had all season, and with Jerry making noise over in the main valley, I decided to try my luck at the VAT.  If a nice doe presents a shot, I am going to plan on taking her. I was walking in and I stopped to take the memory card out of the camera, I heard something behind the fallen oak tree where the VAT used to be. Then I saw him. It was a nice mature Tom with a 10" beard. (See picture) He was only 20 yards away but in the brush. He ended up crossing the creek and walking up the hill to the SE towards the old dump. At 6:00 pm, Heidi's buddy the nubbin buck came charging in from the east. He stopped and got a drink from the stream, and the walked in and started eating. He sure likes the oats and the fall foliage. He fed right out in front of the camera and got his picture taken. After that, he slowly worked his way into the bean field. He stood out the and ate for 45 minutes to an hour before he finally left to the west.  That was it for me for the night. Totals: Bob- 1 deer, 1 nubbin buck.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 pm

Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Sunset: 7:19 pm, Closes: 7:49 pm, Temp: 63 degrees, partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 18-22 mph. Today marks the one year anniversary of shooting "Turkey Foot" from the Apple Tree stand. I really wanted to return there and celebrate, but I just couldn't maker myself do it with a north wind. Therefore, I decided that my next best option would be Right Field. I was sent and ready to go by 5:05 pm. Heidi didn't get home from work until later, so she decided to head back down to the VAT. Heidi was able to make it to her stand by 5:30 pm. At 6:55 pm, Heidi texted that she had a 6 pointer in the food plot. He ended up on the hillside to the north of her up wind. At 7:15, Heidi's friend the small fawn was back in the food plot. At one point, it fed directly underneath the stand. Totals: Bob - 0 deer.  Heidi - 2 deer, 1 Buck and 1 fawn.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012. Sunset: 7:20 pm, Closes: 7:50 pm, Temp: 60 degrees, partly cloudy, Wind: N-NW 5-10 mph. After much debate, I decided to give the Ridgeback stand a shot. I was all set up and in position by 5:10 pm. I don't think that this is one of the better stands on the property, but it is easy and quiet to get into, and it works pretty well with this wind. Heidi decided to head back to the VAT. Heidi had not been in more then 15 minutes and she had a fawn in front of her in the food plot. It offered her a shot, but she decided to pass since it was too small. Good choice.  At 5:35, Heidi texted that there was a buck behind her to the east. She couldn't tell how big he was. He ended up going towards the NE over by the Sugar Shack food plot. Still nice action for her. At 6:20 pm, Heidi had a couple of does and a fawn in the food plot. They must have seen or smelled her, because they took off. At 7:15 pm, I had 2 does come down main street going from west to east. As I was getting ready to grab my bow, she must have seen me. She blew a warning call and took off back towards the SW. Damn. I wanted to take her as the lead doe was really nice and fat. Totals: Bob- 2 deer, 2 does.  Heidi- 5 deer, 4 does and fawn, and 1 buck.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 am

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 am. Sunrise: 6:56 am, Opener: 6:26 am, Temp: 37 degrees, Mostly Sunny, Wind: N-NW 5-10 mph. What a beautiful morning. Light winds but cool. Almost had a frost last night. I was up and out the door by 5:45 am. I was all settled in at the point by 6:00 am. It didn't take long. At 6;25 am, a small buck came up from the food plot on the trail to the NE of me. I was hoping that he would continue up the hill to the west, but instead he turned on the trail and went south. He walked through all 4 shooting lanes at between 15 to 18 yards. Unfortunately, it was still to dark to get any video.  We he got downwind of me he just froze. He stood there for a few minutes and then turned around and went back to the north. When he got to the east of me, he must have got a good whiff or seen something he didn't like because he took off like a cannon to the NE. When he got to the other side of the food plot, he blew a warning call and took off. You just can't fool their noses. They are smart bastards. Still, it was fun to see and nice to get some action. At 7:45 am, a nice little 7 pointer came up the trail from the NE. He walked right through all 5 shooting lanes from 8-12 yards. He was on me so fast that I couldn't get my bow off the hook and camera on him until he passed by. I did get some video of him, but it could have been better. Totals: 2 deer, 2 bucks.